FAQs – What Does Teaching at an Online College Entail?

(This is a guest article by Carrie Oakley*. If you are a Ph.D. student looking for money making ideas, and aspiring to pursue an academic career in the future, you may want to consider teaching at an online college now. It will provide you some much needed income, invaluable experience and a definite edge compared to the stiff competition you will face when you start your application process.)

It’s not a job that comes to mind immediately or one that you dream of when you join college, but it’s fulfilling and satisfactory in many aspects; teaching at an online college is an option you could consider if you’re a college professor or aspiring to become one. The demand for skilled and dedicated teachers is rising by the day, so if you think you fit the bill and would enjoy teaching online, here are answers to a few basic questions you’re likely to have about the job:

What qualifications do you need to teach college courses online?

Most universities prefer their own staff to handle their online courses; however, it is possible to find work as an adjunct professor if you hold a graduate degree or a doctorate in the subject you intend to teach, or if you hold any graduate degree and have completed 18 graduate level credits in the subject you want to teach. Many who aspire to teach online pursue the online graduate certificate in Management of E-Learning. This is offered by various universities and can be completed in as little as six months. When you complete this course, you’re not only eligible to teach online, you can also apply for positions as e-learning course designers.

Do you need to have prior experience?

It depends on the college you apply to and the course you want to teach – some may prefer experienced professors while others may be willing to try you out if you’re impressive or if they’re short of staff. Also, if the course is simple and meant to impart basic knowledge, you would be welcome to teach it even without experience.

How do you apply to become an online college professor?

Find out which online colleges (and regular ones that offer online courses) are hiring and send in your resume to the concerned department. You could also find online adjunct groups and sign up to meet and interact with others in this line of work. This way, you stay connected to all that’s happening in the world of online teaching and you know of any job vacancies as soon as they’re posted.

How much does an online college professor normally make?

Some colleges pay the same per credit hour as they do for those who teach traditional courses while others may pay according to your skill and experience. If you’re teaching online at a community or local college, the pay may not be as much as you would get at a bigger university. Online professors do take on other jobs like private tuition in order to make enough money.

How many hours of work does the job entail?

The number of hours varies according to the college, the course and the teacher. Some colleges set a number of hours for each credit; however, an online teacher may have to spend time responding to student queries and questions on interactive discussion threads.

Is it possible to work from home as an online college professor?

Yes, you can work from any location if you teach online. You don’t have to be on campus or even at an office when you handle online classes.

Are the work hours flexible?

As with online learning, online teaching too has flexible schedules. However, you do have to be ready to respond to student queries and doubts and take an active part in any discussion that happens online. So while you may not have preset work hours, you do have to stay connected in order to send out quick and accurate responses. Schedules may have to be set for interactive lessons and to send out study material to students.

What kind of software do you have to be familiar with?

You must be technology savvy if you want to teach online; a basic knowledge of the Internet and how instant chat and email can be used to interact with students is a plus; and while you don’t need to be familiar with any special kind of software, it would help if you spent some time familiarizing yourself with the medium used to impart lessons and send out study material before you decide to become an online professor.

Is it possible to work part-time as an online college professor?

Yes, it is possible to work part-time as an online college professor. You could take on online teaching gigs to supplement your regular job or just as a means to spend your time fruitfully.

How does online teaching help further your career?

If you’re new to the profession of teaching, online courses help you gain experience in your field. Besides this, you also become familiar and comfortable with technology and know how to use it effectively and efficiently. You get to interact with students from a wide cross-section of society and this broadens your horizons and boosts your knowledge; and your ability is challenged and tested by inquisitive and bright students who make your online classes more interesting.


*About the author: This guest post is contributed by Carrie Oakley, who writes on the topic of online colleges. Carrie welcomes your comments at her email id: carrie.oakley1983(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

*Image Credit: Photograph by Swansea Photographer [via Flickr Creative Commons]

10 Secrets to Landing the Best Job Even Before You Graduate

(This is a guest article by Mark Macaluso*)

It’s no secret that every college student aspires to secure a good job as soon as they graduate or even before; it’s what they go to college for, and it’s the sole purpose of all their hard work. So when you know you’ve found that perfect job even before you’ve stepped out of school, the elation you feel is like nothing else – you know you’ve saved yourself the agony of being a graduate without a job, you’re free of the pressure to find one even as the bills start piling up and responsibilities come calling, and you can hold your head high that you’ve achieved success in the shortest possible time. It’s not that hard to land your dream job, not if you’re willing to do all it takes; so here they are then, the secrets to landing a great job even before you graduate:

1. Start early – even as early as high school. When you know what you want to become even before you graduate high school, it’s easy to plan your future and work towards it.


2. Plan your career based on your interests and future prospects – make a list of all the disciplines you’re interested in and one of careers that have potential and where job prospects are good. Cross check the two lists and pick a major that finds a place on both lists. This way, you’re assured of a job that you’re interested in when you graduate.


3. Work on your grades – college life can take you by surprise and all the freedom after the rigidity of high school could become too much to handle and you find your grades slipping. You must make an effort right from the beginning if you want to keep your grades up because good grades and consistency translate into good jobs at the end of four years.


4. Watch what you say or post on the Internet – social networks are great no doubt, but they’re a major reason why people are losing their jobs. If you’re indiscreet in what you say or do online, if you have photos that could be construed as proof of irresponsible behavior online, you could find that employers are not too keen on hiring you, even if your credentials are otherwise impeccable.


5. Find internships – one of the best ways to gain experience in and test the waters of any industry is to find work as an intern during your vacation. Think of it not as giving up your vacation but as a great way to check if you like a certain kind of job and if you’re suited to it and the easiest way to gain experience while still in school.


6. Create a great resume – when your resume speaks for itself and serves as the perfect means of introduction to a potential employer, there’s nothing you need to worry about. Don’t exaggerate your accomplishments or lie about them; remember, your resume must create a positive impression and make the person reading it want to know more about you.


7. Develop a network – let people know you’re looking for a job in the industry of your choice; keep in touch with the people who matter; make friends during your internship and focus on generating a positive impression all round.


8. Attend job fairs – don’t miss out on opportunities to attend job fairs that are held in your vicinity. It’s your best chance to see who’s hiring and what your prospects are.


9. Work on your interview skills – prepare for your interviews by learning more about the organizations you’re applying to, the positions you’re hoping to get, and by honing your interview skills. An interview is most often the last hurdle before you’re hired, and if you’ve come this far, you cannot blow it by not meeting expectations.


10. Do your research – know which companies are hiring and what kind of people they’re looking for. You could post your resume on various job sites and also send it out to companies you know are hiring based on your research.

The key to securing your dream job even before you graduate is to set a goal, plan ahead, and work towards putting your plan into action so that you achieve your goal.

*About the author: This guest post is contributed by Mark Macaluso, he writes on the topic of Masters in Accounting. He welcomes your comments at his email id: mark.macaluso985<@>gmail<.>com.

*Image Credit: Photograph by cobalt123 [via Flickr Creative Commons]

10 Tips to Get Your Job Through Campus Recruitment

(This is a guest article by Tom Becker*)

The job application process can be a nerve racking experience; one that may involve a great deal of preparation and stress. However, being able to interview through campus recruitment presents a unique opportunity that not everyone has the chance to experience. Rather than having to go out and pound the pavement, send endless emails, or have the voicemail messages you leave unreturned, getting a job through campus recruitment can have the recruiters coming to you. This opportunity however, is one that can be even more beneficial if you are properly prepared to take full advantage of it.

1. Study - Similar to a college exam, proper preparation can be key to your success in a campus recruitment interview. Understanding what a possible employer does, knowing the history and circumstances surrounding their company or organization, and having knowledge about the position for which you are applying can make a favorable impression upon those with whom you are interviewing.

2. Test Yourself - Before your all important interview, you might take some time to test yourself and your interview acumen. Consider questions that you might be asked by your interviewers. If you don’t have ideas as to what these questions might be, you might want to search for typical interview questions on the Internet. When you answer these questions, you might want to try answering them aloud to hear how your answers sound and practice proper phrasing and articulation.

3. Prepare Your Own Questions - Asking questions related to a particular job or company can show that you are interested and educated regarding the position for which you are interviewing and the company or organization you are interviewing with. Sitting there with a blank stare when asked if you have questions for the interviewer can be a sign that you are unprepared or uninterested.

4. Remember the Little Things - The little things can make a big difference in the overall impression you make upon your interviewers. Having items like a working pen, paper, extra resumes and cover letters, and similar items can prevent you having to ask to borrow them from the interviewer or worse, sitting their seemingly unprepared or uninterested, both of which are potential interview killers.

5. Dress Appropriately - In most instances, it’s best to wear professional business attire to an interview whether or not it’s required or requested. It’s often better safe than sorry and being a bit overdressed probably won’t hurt your chances as much as being underdressed will.

6. Eat Something - As nervous as you may be, putting something in your stomach before interview time can keep embarrassing belly rumbling to a minimum. Sitting there in the crushing silence before that first critical interview question is asked, only to hear the churning of your stomach echoing through the interview room might have your interviewers raising an eyebrow or two.

7. A Bottle of Water - You certainly don’t want to flaunt having a bottle of water, slurping from it noisily or taking constant drinks from it throughout your interview, but having it available can come in handy. Few things can be more distracting or a turnoff to interviewers than that smacking noise your mouth makes when you’re nervous and your mouth is really dry. Worse yet might be that white stuff that accumulates around the edges of your mouth when it is excessively dry. Such things can severely detract from the overall impression you present during your interview.

8. Timeliness - While it shouldn’t have to be said, timeliness is often critical when it comes to campus recruitment. This isn’t a party and it’s not the time to arrive fashionably late. But when it comes to timeliness during your interview session, it may pertain not only to arriving on time, but not overstaying your welcome as well.

9. Graciousness - It’s probably not the best idea to just get up and walk out after your interview is completed. It can be important to show the proper respect and give your appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the position, but not overdo it. Acting as if you’re the interviewer’s best friend or being overly friendly by giving hugs, high-fives or slaps on the back might raise some red flags for the interviewer.

10. Follow-up - Depending on how an interview ends, a follow-up could involve numerous scenarios. A telephone call, note, or email thanking the interviewer for the opportunity to meet with them is often appropriate. You might stop by to do a follow-up if the company is locally located and you’ve been invited to do so. And even if your interview ended badly or you don’t think you have a shot at the job, a follow-up or thank you is still appropriate because even though you don’t think so, you may still be in the running for the job and it could be worth a call or email to find out.

*About the author: Tom Becker is a writer for Money Choices where he writes impartial reviews of high interest savings accounts and other financial products.

*Image Credit: Photograph by bpsusf [via Flickr Creative Commons]

If you like this article, you may also like

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• The Multiple Job Offers FAQ


• A Comprehensive List of Helpful Job Search Resources

Multiple Careers, Multiple Incomes? They're Closer than You Think

(This is a guest article by Andrew Johnston*)

In a time when joblessness is a global threat and the employment market is apparently comatose, there’s another option: Create your own job. Whatever you do, you can usually do it online in some form. If you’re an HR person, you can do online advisories and work on the big HR sites. If you’re a gardener, you can probably make more money doing gardening advice and articles than you could working in a garden. If you think you lack training or need more, you can always get it, online or at a community college. A great new career is as close as a computer with an Internet connection.

The New Economy, explained

The New Economy is an almost totally different economy to the traditional job market, which is rapidly becoming obsolete, as well as disappearing through its own inefficiency.

The new approach is almost revolutionary:

• High pay


• High value work


• Outsourcing to freelance experts


• Low business overheads


• Less business infrastructure

The "high pay" may be selective, but everything else is taking off in every industry. "Work" is now business between you and a client who’s no longer an employer but a contractor. This process has been welcomed by those trying to escape the grotesque workplace stress factories. The first people to take on the New Economy model, ironically, were all professionals like accountants, architects, business consultants and other people who stood to make a fortune simply by no longer working in an office.

Multiple jobs and multiple incomes

The New Economy also lets "workers" loose. All that’s required in these types of jobs is to do the work as per contract. The rest of your time is your own. You can run several contracts in the course of one day. You’re no longer dependent on the single stream income, and free from the constant stress of the workplace.

If you’ve got good client relationship skills, do good work and respect the interests of your contractors, you can wind up with more work than you’d believe. Imagine a job where you work 5 days a week, for 5 different contracts, and make the same money or more as you did in a day job.

Note that it’s a good idea to do any relevant business courses and learn the basics of running your own business. It’s also extremely useful when dealing with other businesses, because you can speak their language and understand their priorities more effectively.

Building multiple careers

The greatest thing about the New Economy is that you can literally develop your skills and business in so many directions. Unlike the single stream career types, you can actually build several careers, and integrate them.

For example:

Say you’re a web designer. You develop your skills base so you can also do mixed media, graphics, audio, animation, web content, and advertising. This is far easier than it sounds, and even the training is fun.

The result of all this self indulgence is that you now have a business capacity with six extra services. That means more business, both from your existing clients and new clients.

This is the biggest growth area in global employment. If you want a job, make a great one (or several) for yourself.

*About the author: Andrew Johnston is a freelance writer specialized in articles about Business Courses.

*Image Credit: Photograph by akeg [via Flickr Creative Commons]

Networking to Success

(This is a guest article by William Eve*)

When you graduate and join the workforce, you learn that in addition to your degree, many more skills are required to climb the career ladder. One skill that should be mastered as early as possible is the art of networking. Grad school is the perfect place to lay the foundation and hone your networking skills, so that you can enter the workforce with a distinct advantage over your peers. Here's a quick crash course on networking to get you started.

What is Networking?

Networking is the building of relationships within the business world. You meet someone within a certain area of business and become known to them. By building a relationship with that person you may well then meet people that they know, and then people that those people know, and so on.

The idea is that you get to meet people that are in the same industry as you, or people that may become colleagues or customers in the future.

There are many different ways of networking, and the world wide web has given us many new ways of building successful relationships. Let’s have a look at some of the best ways to network.

Be Yourself

When "putting yourself out there" it is very important that you are confident in who you are. Do not try and be what you think people want, as you will quickly learn you cannot please all of the people all of the time.

Do not deviate from who, and what you really are.

Know Your Strengths

Another thing to have in place before you begin networking is to know exactly what you can and cannot do. It is important that you are very open and honest with people as to your genuine skills. Within a network of professionals, a phony will quickly be found out and distrusted.

Business Cards

It is a very good idea to carry some business cards around with you. This does not mean you throw them around like confetti, or that you give them to every single person that crosses your path, but it is great to be able to hand someone a card with your contact details on should a suitable opportunity arise.

If you take someone’s business card a useful thing to do is note on the back where you met and make any notes to remind you of your meeting. It shows you pay attention.

Have a Website

In today’s modern age it is very worthwhile having your own website. It does not have to be anything flashy, and you do not need to be a computer genius to set one up. There are many programs out there that allow you to create a simple web-page without any experience of computing.

It is a good idea to have some sort of biography, as well as a break down of your skills, objectives and contact details for people when they visit.

It is also a very good idea to join social networking sites such as Facebook, and Myspace as many business people now have profiles, and swapping Facebook identities is now almost as common as swapping cellphone numbers or emails.

Again these profiles are very easy to set up, and there are online tutorials to get you started.

Give Before You Receive

One of the most powerful tips you should take board with networking is learn to offer value. Many people enter networking events with the questions in mind “What can I get from this?”, or “Who can meet today who will benefit my career?”

These are selfish questions and ones that will probably not get you very far. You need to develop the mindset of, “what can I offer people here today?”, and “What value can I add to peoples businesses so that they will want to work with me on a continual basis?”.

Being clear about what you can give people will make you much more attractive, and will make you stick in people’s minds.

Be Sincere

If you say you are going to call somebody then call them! If you cannot keep a dinner date, phone the person and let them know. It is vital that you treat people with respect when networking, and this also means being sincere in what you say and do.

Do not pay a compliment unless you mean it, and try as much as possible not to “suck up” to people. It is very transparent, and will often put off more people than it will win over!

Most importantly remember to never stop networking. Networks and relationships are like gardens. They must be watered, and tended to or else they will wither and die.

*About the author: This article was written by William Eve. William writes about saving money, investment loans and real estate for Home Loan Finder. If your a first home buyer or looking for a refinance home loan, visit the Home Loan Finder website for great advice and information on the best home loans available.

*Image Credit: Photograph by Álvaro Canivell [via Flickr Creative Commons]

The Secret to Finding a Part-time Job in Tough Economic Times

(This is a guest article by Caroline Fraissinet*)

Part-time jobs are sometimes necessary for students to earn enough money to pay for their education. In these economic times, it can be difficult to find part-time jobs. However, that does not mean that all hope is lost. There are some great resources and places to start which students (or anyone, for that matter) can use to search and apply for jobs. Here is a list of a few general tips and sources for finding a part-time job:

1. Take A Walk Around Town – stores or local businesses sometimes have “Help Wanted” signs on their windows. Many times, people may overlook them, so keep an eye out for them. Take a walk around your neighborhood and see if there’s any in a nearby location. This is more of a hit-or-miss option, as “Help Wanted” signs in the window are more characteristic of a smaller town or community. However, it’s a good starting point because most of the time, you can just walk right in and get a feel for what you might be doing as well as whom you might be working with right away. So take a little stroll around the block – who knows what kind of opportunities you might find?



2. On-Campus Job/Work-Study – college campuses have many services for students. Naturally, that means that a lot of assistance is needed for many of the great places open for the student body. Get in touch with specific locations on campus and see if they have any job openings. Some of the best places to look are the library and any food service locations. Colleges will also frequently post job openings in specific places to students on the university website. If you like meeting new people and being an on-campus leader, residence assisting might be a good option for you. RAs usually get room and board free for supervising specific floors in dorms, and sometimes get a stipend in addition to that for activities. Also, colleges may offer the opportunity for work-study if you qualify. These are more or less the same jobs, but the money that you make goes directly towards your tuition. Sometimes to get enough money to pay for your education, you need look no further than your college or university.



3. Surf The Web – there are countless websites that employers post job openings regularly. Craigslist.org is one of the best places to look for local job opportunities. They have many different subcategories of jobs to search, and also feature a separate section just for part-time jobs. Also be sure to check the “Gigs” section if you’re in a field that would apply (writing, film, ect.) or for miscellaneous jobs that can earn you a few quick bucks. Craigslist also posts many paid research studies, which could be a good way to make some quick cash if you qualify as well. Other places to look include Monster.com, SimplyHired.com and CareerBuilder.com. Keep in mind that internships may or may not be paid, but could also be a good opportunity for students to gain experience and make contacts for later on. Search the web for jobs; it’s one of the easiest ways to discover new job openings.



4. Talk To Friends – sometimes getting a job isn’t about what you know, but who you know. Try asking friends and family about places that they work or worked in the past. They may have some connections or contacts that you can get in touch with for some work. Another possibility is that if you have a friend currently working at a place, they might know about upcoming openings and be able to put in a good word for you. You can also get an insider’s perspective on different places and find out if the employer is someone that you actually want to work for. When job searching, never forget about your friends and family – someone you’re close to could make a huge difference to your finances as well as your social life!

Rough economic times don’t have to signal unequivocal doom to job searchers. There are many different ways to look for part-time jobs for students. By using any or all of these resources, you might be able to find a job that not only pays the bills, but that you might actually enjoy, too. Don’t get discouraged looking for jobs; if you utilize these strategies and are consistent about looking for employment, you should be able to find a great job that can help you to finance your studies.




*About the author: This is a guest post by Caroline Fraissinet, a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, majoring in Film/Video with a minor in TV Production. More articles by Caroline can be found here.

*Image Credit: Photograph by boogah [via Flickr Creative Commons]

This article was included in the Carnival of Personal Finance #243. Thanks, JD!

The Value of Education: Is the Investment a Good One?

(This is a guest article by Lewis Bennett*)

Entering into further education can be extremely beneficial to your future. It is also a necessity for a wide range of jobs and careers, such as becoming a doctor, nurse, dentist or engineer. Although continuing on to University or College can be costly, it also provides you with a lot of life experiences that you would otherwise miss out on. It can enable you to build additional skills and confidence, and provide a number of new opportunities.

Nearly 90% of young people in America graduate from high school, and about 60% of those graduates start college the next year. There are a number of reasons why students choose to attend college.

How Your Education Affects Your Career

For those considering further education, there is still evidence to indicate that you are more likely to be in demand than those who do not have any extra qualifications. Furthermore, there is also a great deal of evidence to suggest that those with degrees will also fill higher level occupations as they are deemed to be more qualified.

Earning Potential

By obtaining a higher education qualification, you will invariably increase the amount that you are capable of earning and be provided with a much more extensive range of opportunities in the long-term.

The US Census Bureau is quoted with saying the following:
“Adults with advanced degrees earn four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. Workers 18 and older with a master’s, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of $82,320 in 2006, while those with less than a high school diploma earned $20,873.”

Americans with a bachelor’s degree earned $56,788 on average according to the Census while those with a high school diploma only earned $31, 071. This is a significant amount of money but when you calculate that amount over 10 or 15 years that number rises to $150,000 and $225,000 respectively.

A Rewarding Career

Having an extensive education behind you also makes you more likely to have a long lasting and rewarding career rather then just some job. Anyone can find a job but a fullfilling career can be more elusive.

It has also been noted that those who graduate from further education are more likely to work for the majority of their life and are unlikely to be unemployed.

Education doesn’t guarantee success

A college degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee success but it does increase your chances of obtaining wealth. There are lots of highly educated individuals working at gas stations and there are grade school dropouts running multinational corporations but statistics show that an education will increase your chances.

In a recent survey of some of the America’s wealthiest businesspeople, 30% felt that a good work ethic was the most helpful asset in achieving success. Work ethic was chosen just slightly more than the 28% that said a post secondary education was more important.

“Donative Commercial Non-Profits”

There are a number of economists that study higher education, like Gordon Wilson, who suggest that universities and colleges are “donative commercial non-profits” – that is, they are institutions that charge a fee, but where that fee doesn’t cover the cost of the product.

A business and a “donative commercial non-profit” are different in many ways – to start with, motivation and customer choice are very different. Prospective students and their parents base their decisions on hunches and reputation. In that sense, you often only have one chance at choosing a college: therefore there is no opportunity for repeat customers.

Another important element is how your fellow students will influence the value and quality of your education – both in the present and throughout the rest of your career and life. The networks of fellow alumni and the prestige of your educational institution will follow with you for years to come.

Additional Benefits to Further Education

Many students believe that their going to University was incredibly worthwhile and that they learnt a lot about themselves, as well as obtaining qualifications to obtain a good job once they graduated. There is also the added benefit of experiencing a wide social scene and mixing with people from different cultures. You are also far more likely to develop good communication skills and this is something that is just as attractive to future employers as your degree.

Even if you feel that your time has passed, you can still opt to continue your education at any age and mature students are becoming more and more common.

*About the author: This article was written by Lewis Bennett - He writes about education and finance, including the mortgage and remortgage market.

*Image Credit: Photograph by CarbonNYC [via Flickr Creative Commons]

10 Things to Consider Before Quitting Your Job to Start Your Own Business

(This is a guest article by Andrew Wang*)

Starting your own business is more often than not a stressful and risky proposition. These days, it is an unfortunate fact that most small businesses are doomed from the very start, for whatever reason. Recent statistics found that 7 out of 10 small enterprises close down within two years of opening, and a further 1 of the 10 will shut down within 5 years. There is however some hope, in the fact that 20 - 30% of businesses do find success somewhere down the track. In this article, I will give you 10 things to do before you quit your job and put all your effort in to a particular business idea. Getting these 10 things done properly will substantially assist you in your entrepreneurial endeavors - and may just be enough to keep your business afloat, through both the good times, and the bad.

1. Know The Lingo:


Don't quit your job until you know the lingo. By "lingo", I mean all the terms, information, and expertise that business owners are expected to have. You MUST know what your liability level is, should your finances take a turn for the worse. Learn about the stock market, how big business works, and how small business differs from mainstream corporate affairs. The internet is a great resource here - so use it, and gain the knowledge necessary to advance.


2. Research:


Don't quit your job until you have enough research behind you to prove that your business model can be successful. One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they get all excited about the prospect of owing a business, and hastily rush in to things. If you don't know the statistics, industry trends, and consumer behavior surrounding your area of business - how can you possibly sell your products or services?


3. Sort Out The Legal Aspects:


Don't quit your job until you know that your business is not going to give you legal issues. To be blatantly honest, legal issues cost money, waste time, and will very possibly lead to business failure if you get caught up in one. Know the rights, responsibilities, and obligations you will be taking on when you leave your job and focus on your own business.


4. Analyze The Marketplace:


Don't quit your job until you understand the marketplace and what your industry is really like. What quality and service standards are expected in this area of business? Are you able to provide that standard or higher? If not, take a serious look at your business plan, and try to determine if the idea as a whole will be appealing to the market.


5. Find An Accountant & An Attorney:


Don't quit your job until you have an attorney and an accountant. Trying to find a cost effective solution to accounting and legal aspects of your business will be like finding the holy grail of money making schemes. However, it is unfortunately a necessary step in any strong, forward looking business. Get these two sides of the business sorted early, and you will have a lifeline on hand, should it be needed in the future.


6. Read Past Success Stories:


Don't quit your job until you have a rough idea of how others succeeded before you. Remember - unless your business is highly unique, you're probably not the first person to have had the idea. Consult business journals, look on the internet to find related business stories, and see what key attributes and features defined failure from overall success.


7. Work Out Who Your Competitors Are:


Don't quit your job without doing a bit of background work. If your idea is to start a corner dairy or convenience store - is there really going to be enough demand out there to generate more profits than you are currently earning? Remember - what is the point in quitting your job to earn less than you were previously?


8. Get The Right Training:


Don't quit your job until you can confidently say that you are an expert in your area of business. Anything less than expert knowledge will leave gaps for other people to steal away your market. Just imagine a potential customer rings you and asks a somewhat complex, yet relevant question - which you are unable to answer. Put yourself in the other persons shoes, and imagine how you would react.


9. Determine The Real Demand For Your Product or Service:


Don't quit your job until you are 100 percent certain that people will buy or want your goods. See, there is a big difference between what your opinion of your own product / service is, and how the rest of the public feels. Just because you believe your product is a wonderful and useful thing, this doesn't mean that other consumers will. Quiz people as to whether they would be interested in your goods, find faults, make improvements, and when its time - take the best possible product to market.


10. Make A Sale Or Two:


Don't quit your job until you have solid proof you can run your business successfully. Have you made any efforts to sell the product in the past? A few sales would be preferable before you stop receiving your current income stream, and focus solely on generating income with your new business. By having a brief yet reliable sales history prior to dedicating all your time, you can prove to yourself and others that this is not just a spur of the moment decision, which you might live to regret.

That concludes our list of the 10 things to do before quitting your job. Of course, not all 10 things will be applicable to everyone, so to give a closing remark, I want you to think about one big thing. Be careful, logical, and practical. Creating and growing a business is not as easy as it's made out to be. Ensure have the skills, resources, and energy to get things off the ground, and who knows - you may be the next success story just waiting to happen.

*About the author: This article was contributed by Andrew Wang. Andrew lives in the Seattle area. He manages the blog Travel Reward Credit Card.

*Image Credit: Photograph by Ayres no graces [via Flickr Creative Commons]

Hurdles on the Path to Career Success – Part 2

Last week, in Part 1 of this series we looked at a few hurdles that we create around us that prevent us for being as successful as we can otherwise be. Here is a list of few more gotchas to watch out for.

Being an island
The world today is a much smaller place than yesterday. No matter who you work for – be it for a small firm, a large corporation or for yourself, unless you are willing to go out, network and make contacts, you probably will not be able to succeed on a large scale. It does not mean that you need to go out and have drinks with peers and clients every day of the week. But you do need to make an effort to shed your shyness, leave your comfort zone and venture out of your shell to meet people.

How to fix it: Make some key friends. If you are an extrovert and it comes naturally to you to make contacts, you will likely not have this problem. If you are an introvert, find those few extroverts that you are comfortable with and be friends with them. You don’t have to know everyone – just knowing those one or two people who know everyone will get the job done most of the time!

Not marketing yourself
If you are still naïve enough to believe that if you are good, people will notice you, then it is time to wake up! In a world of cut-throat competition, if you cannot market yourself, you could be in for some serious disappointment. It does not matter whether you work in a research lab or a multi-national corporation – you need to learn to sell yourself.

How to fix it: Practice! If you are from a cultural background where boasting is shunned, recognize that and find ways to make your accomplishments noticed. Learn to speak up, and take credit for what you have done. Make sure that your manager knows how much effort you have put in the project and the small successes you have had. Learn to keep your failures to yourself, unless you have been asked about it, in which case learn to share them in a positive light.

Not being able to take criticism
There is positive criticism and there is negative criticism. And chances are, you will come across both at your work place. Getting defensive and not learning from the criticism is and will always remain one of the biggest down fall of most people.

How to fix it: When you receive positive criticism, thank the person and try to implement the changes suggested. These can help you grow both as a person and an employee. On the other hand, if you receive negative criticism, go ahead and make the necessary changes – you can still learn from these. In addition, work with the person to see if you can help them grow as a person and improve their communication skills. If not, just brush it off as some behavior quirk and move on.

Not keeping up with the latest advances
It seems like every day there is a new, easier and “improved” way of doing things. Sometimes it is exciting. At other times, it could be downright annoying, disruptive or scary. But if you hesitate to embrace the change, then you will soon be replaced by someone else who is not so threatened by it.

How to fix it: Network with the younger generation and stay in touch with what is the latest. Read voraciously, and attend trade shows, conferences etc. Do not hesitate to ask someone for help if you find the technology intimidating. If needed register for classes – either at the company’s learning center, or community college, or online!

Being prejudiced
All of us have our quirks. There are some things that we are not quite comfortable with. But in a world where half the office is in the US and the other in India or China, half the work force is male while the other is female, and the skin color takes on all shades of white, black and everything else in between, unless you learn to overcome your prejudice, you will have trouble adjusting to your career.

How to fix it: Look deep into yourself to find out what caused the prejudice. Maybe it was a dinner table discussion between your grand father and your parents that instilled the prejudice in you – do you still think it is valid? May be some experience while growing up caused you to start looking down on a particular race – isn’t it time to grow past it? Again, getting to the roots of your prejudice to free yourself will not only help you in your professional life, but personal life as well!

Nobody is perfect, but we can all try to get rid of some of the limitations around ourselves and aim to be better than we are now. I am sure there are a lot more hurdles out there that prevent us for reaching our full potential for success. I would love to hear your views on this. I will write more on this topic in the future weeks.

*Image Credit: Photograph by misspiepie [via Flickr Creative Commons]

Hurdles on the Path to Career Success – Part 1

All of us have inside us the potential to succeed. To go above and beyond the average. But over a period of time, consciously or not, we end up creating hurdles around us that block us from being as successful as we can otherwise be. This is true both in the career, and life itself. Here is a quick look at some of the common hurdles in the path to career success.

(What has this got to do with personal finance, you ask? Well simple. The personal finance equation has two parts to it - how much you make and how much you keep. And needless to say your career success has a huge impact on how much you make. So there you go. Now, lets move on to the focus of the article - the hurdles on the path to career success)

Trying to please everyone
Remember the old adage “He who tries to please all pleases none”? This is particularly true at work. If you try to please your colleagues, boss and subordinates all at the same time, eventually you end up not pleasing anyone. Worst of all, you could end up with a particular sense of dissatisfaction that can ruin your peace of mind.

How to fix it: Prioritize! The first and the most important person is of course yourself. You need to be happy and content with what you do. Next, it should be the boss/manager who is responsible for your career progress. Next, is your subordinates. Finally, your friends and colleagues.

Not clearly understanding the expectations
If you do not communicate well with your manager and your peers, your understanding of what needs to be done, and theirs can be very different. Even if you put in a lot of hard work, if you are working against a wrong set of requirements, eventually none of it matters.

How to fix it: Listen! And then repeat. It may sound silly – but a simple repetition of what the expectations are can clear up the understanding. Make the following sentences part of your discussion with your manager and peers: “Let me see if I got it straight – you want me to…”; “OK, so here is my understanding. Please let me know if this is correct…”; “Based on what you just said, here’s the list of things I need to get done…”. If you are a manager, encourage your subordinates to summarize your discussions and listen carefully for any misunderstandings.

Too focused on job security
Last year my company laid off a little over 7% of the job force. There is nothing unique or strange about that number. For many of us that work in the tech sector, lay off is a part of life. Unfortunately, some of use adjust to this fact better than others. If you are worried to take risks and speak up because you are too focused on the job security, then you could be seriously curtailing your own growth – both professionally and personally.

How to fix it: Prepare! Have a list of other companies that you can work for if you get laid off. Keep your resume updated. Have an emergency fund and maybe some sources of alternate income. Once you are prepared to face a lay off, you will stop worrying about it and be willing to take on more challenges at work.

Letting personal life influence work life
Everybody has issues in personal life at some point or the other. There isn’t one of us that has a perfect hassle free life out of work. There are ups and there are downs. If you let it effect the quality of work, then eventually your career will come tumbling down.

How to fix it: Practice professionalism. Learn to mask your emotions at work. In fact, take it one step further – when you feel utterly dejected in personal life, make sure you find ways to achieve success in your work life! When you can make your work complement your personal life and offset the downs, you will succeed not just in your career but also in your personal life!

Short-term thinking
Last year I was assigned to a project which I was not too keen on doing. The work was boring and I thought it did not use my “potential” well. Needless to say I was quite disappointed and not very motivated. One of the days when I was stuck in traffic, I was thinking about this, and realized it was not all bad. The project is has high visibility, so if I did a good job, I can get some recognition. In addition, there is no defined team lead – and I could easily step into the role and take on more responsibility. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like this project was far better in the long term than the project I had coveted and was hoping to be a part of.

How to fix it: Step outside and think long term. How will what you are doing now help you 2 years down the line? 5 years down the line? What are you learning now that will prepare you for success in the long run – not the promotion next year, but in the next job that you accept in some other company? And the one after that? If you get into the habit of questioning the long term implications of your every day actions, you can escape the myopic stand that most average people end up taking.

These are by no means the only hurdles that stop us from being successful in our careers. But if you do identify any of these as part of your life, work to improve. All of us are mere humans and susceptible to flaws. The real tragedy is if we do not identify these flaws and try to fix them! I will post part 2 of this article soon.

*Image Credit: Photograph by Stew pendous [via Flickr Creative Commons]

Guide to Hiring Women!

I received an email from a friend with this “Guide to Hiring Women” supposedly published in the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine. Apparently, it was written for male supervisors of women in the work force during World War II. I couldn’t quite believe it and decided to dig a little further. Looks like it is not just spam or a hoax after all! Snopes.com claims to have verified the legitimacy of the article and has images of the original print version on their site! All I have to say is, Thank God, I wasn’t looking for a job in the 40’s!

Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees

There's no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women available and how to use them to the best advantage. Here are eleven helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they're less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.


2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.


3. General experience indicates that "husky" girls - those who are just a little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.


4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.


5. Stress at the outset the importance of time the fact that a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.


6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that they'll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in finding work themselves.


7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less nervous and happier with change.


8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.


9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.


10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women. Even though a girl's husband or father may swear vociferously, she'll grow to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.


11. Get enough size variety in operator's uniforms so that each girl can have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too much in keeping women happy.

What the @$^% ?!!??!!!

5 Reasons to Like Your Lazy, Annoying Colleagues

The past few weeks have been the most frustrating weeks I have had since I started working a little over a year ago. I have been on this new project for about three months now and during the past few weeks I have had to work closely with this guy, who must be the laziest and the most annoying person in our office. No make that the whole entire world! He is quite senior and experienced, but instead of using his knowledge and skills to get the work done quickly and efficiently, he spends most of his time trying to come up with excuses to dump the work onto someone else’s lap. He loves arguing for the sake of arguing and does not care for other peoples’ personal space or time. We have all had to put in some long hours chasing bugs, since he never seems to test his code before checking it in for integration! And he spares no effort in trying to show everyone else down given half the chance. It is so, so, so, frustrating.

I am worried that if I let him keep getting to me, I will pull all my hair out in frustration a little bit at a time, until I go bald! And in the interest of keeping my hair, I decided to make this list of why it is actually good to have him around. It’s still a work in progress and you are welcome to suggest additions :)

He makes me look good
I almost always manage to complete and test my code before him. And it has come up during a few status meetings that I am well ahead of him. Also, he never seems to test his code, and more often than not, when something fails, it gets tracked it to a bug in his code. Overall, having him around makes me look good :)

He provides me some job security
Considering that he is senior than me, I would assume that he gets paid more than me. And the managers seem to know that everyone else in the group is getting a lot more done than he is. So, if push comes to shove and they have to let go of someone, I think it will be easier for the manager to justify letting him go instead of the rest of us, providing the rest of us a relative degree of job security.

He keeps me on my toes
There have been so many times that we have been able to expose bugs in his code that he is waiting for a chance to get back to us. We know he will latch on to any small mistake he can find in what we have done. So I make doubly sure that my code is thoroughly tested before I check it in. Also, I would never want my other colleagues to think of me with the level of disgust we all have for him. That prevents the lazy part of me from taking over the motivated one :)

I am learning a lot of people management skills
I don’t want to crib and whine and raise a stink about working with him when I speak with my manager or other colleagues. At the same time, I don’t want him to go take credit for all my hard work, which I know he will, if I let him. I don’t want to be the person who blows up and makes a scene. At the same time, I don’t want to be a push over and keep on taking his nonsense. It is a delicate balance, quite hard to maintain and I am learning a lot about people management skills!

Finally, he has helped me gain a whole new appreciation for my other co-workers
Under normal circumstances, I would probably take some of the other people I work with for granted. After all they are doing their job and I am doing mine, right? Now I have a new found appreciation for anyone who does their job well. In a large company like the one I work for, it is possible for anyone to survive, possibly for years, without getting anything done. And there seem to be quite a few people around who seem to do exactly that. So now, when I see someone that gets their work done without trying to offload it on me, I really appreciate it!

Phew, it was quite therapeutic writing up that list! There is a silver lining to this dark cloud after all! Those of you who have worked for longer - any suggestions from your past experiences on how to cope?

*Image credit: www.tailored.com.au

Should Parents Try To Influence Their Children's College Applications?

It is college application time. While kids scamper to put the application packages together, parents fret and worry about the choice of degree and choice of colleges. While the kids are busy rating how "party" friendly the different schools are, parents are busy trying to figure out how "pocket" friendly they will be. A teenager's idea of a cool career is bound to be different from their parents' idea. Unsurprisingly, this could lead to a lot of flare ups when parents don't quite agree with their children's choice and the children don't want their parents to interfere.

Consider for example the case of my colleague. She wants to make sure that her daughter goes into a major that will lead to good career prospects. She wants her daughter to lead a worry-free life. My colleague is a brilliant engineer. As a first generation immigrant, she knows what it is like to struggle through life to get to a financially comfortable position. She wants to protect her daughter from having to go through what she considers "unnecessary pains" of making bad career choices. She feels that her children have a lot more opportunity and guidance than she did when she was younger and so they must be able to coast through life. She would prefer for her daughter to major in engineering. If her daughter must rebel she wishes it were to pursue a professional degree like law or medical school :)

He daughter on the other hand wants to pursue fine arts. She is an honor student with several advanced placement classes under her belt. But in her senior year in high school she was influenced by her peers into thinking that professional degrees are for dorks and losers. And now she wants to pursue a fine arts degree.

Which degree (or discipline in general) is better is only one of arguments that they have. Which college to send apps to is another huge point of contention. Some of the schools of choice for the daughter come at a hefty price tab of $40,000 per year. And they are known "party" schools. My colleague has the money stashed up, but it took a lot of blood and sweat to raise that money. She believes it is a complete waste to throw it away on an arts degree from an expensive party school.

I don't think there is anything very unique about my colleague’s situation. This drama is played out over and over every year in thousands of households across the country. Parents in their infinite wisdom want to protect their children from making stupid mistakes. They want to give their children the opportunities they perceive that they were not provided. They want to save their children from making some of the mistakes they did.

The children on the other hand are not really children anymore, but young adults. They believe that they know what they want. They want to stand for themselves and what they believe is their best option.

So, should the parents try to influence their children’s choices?

I believe that if the parents are paying for the education, they have every right to set some ground rules. Unless the parents inherited the money themselves, they must be able to have some influence over what and how their hard-earned money gets spent.

Now, if the parents can't afford to pay the children's college expenses and the child is actually taking out a loan, things get a bit dicey. Some of my friends believe that the parents don't really have a right to interfere in such a situation. I disagree. I think that it is a parent's responsibility to prevent the children from making what might be a choice that they will regret later in life. Just like a parent would never allow a child to walk into a busy street with a lot of traffic, they should also try to protect their children from burdening themselves with huge college debt for majors that can't provide for them in later life. The children may not listen, and they may fight back, but that didn't stop you from teaching them the right thing to do when they were younger and wanted to play with a knife!

It’s easier said than done. But there are ways in which this can be achieved. For instance, in my colleague’s case, they have established a truce of sorts now. My colleague has convinced her daughter to consider a degree in computer animation. Since a degree in computer animation requires her daughter to take some computer courses as pre-requisites, she feels comforted, that later in life if push comes to shove, her daughter can work as a software programmer. Her daughter has agreed to the option since a degree in animation will allow her to explore her creative side. As for the school they are still working it out :) The current offer on the table is that my colleague must allow her daughter to go to any school that the daughter can obtain at least 50% financial aid. In some schools (particularly the one that the daughter wants to go to), that is still a huge amount. But I am sure they will find a way to resolve it.

What would you do if your kids wanted to take up a major that you firmly believe will not prepare them for life in the real world? What if it involves taking our a huge student loan? How did your parents try to convince you?

In the mean time, if you are looking for some resources to share with your kids, here are some good starters –

• Is your degree worth $1 million -- or worthless?
  (A must-read if you are dealing with this situation!)


• ‘Top Chef’ Dreams Crushed by Student Loan Debt


• Is a Graduate Degree Worth the Debt?

*Image Credit: FranchisePick.Com

Is Working Smart Really An Alternative To Working Hard?

If you read personal productivity or career related blogs/websites, you see one topic gets a lot of coverage – “Working Hard Vs Working Smart”. The problem I have with many of the blogs/websites that discuss this topic is that they convey the message, either intentionally or otherwise, that working smart is an alternative to working hard. I agree that just working hard is not enough. But I also think that only working smart quite won’t cut it either.

We lead a very hectic life packed to the hilt with things to do and errands to run. Balancing a career and family is not easy. So when someone comes along and argues that we don’t need to work so hard as long as we work smart, we are all only too happy to grab on to that argument. And that is what makes this argument so dangerous - the susceptibility of the listeners and to a certain extent the basic laziness in all of us that wants us to avoid hard work if possible.

During the past few weeks I have stumbled across several blog posts by young authors bragging about their ability to work smart and how they can get away without working hard like the rest of us mice in the corporate American rat race. I have no doubt that these young bloggers are smart and indeed get a lot done efficiently. But I think their pride in being able to do away with hard work is misguided.

It’s a lot more difficult for us immigrant workers to think of work from a different perspective, especially since we were raised to believe that hard work is what takes you places. And hard work did take us places. Coming from a middle class family in a third world country and establishing a place for ourselves in the most affluent country has not been easy. So it is ingrained in us that we need to work hard. But I do see that to get any further in life, just working hard is not going to be enough. I get that I need to be smarter in managing my time and effort. And in hind sight I do see that it was not just working hard that got me here – if that were the case there would be even more immigrant workers here than there already are :)

But I just can’t subscribe to the theory that working smart is an alternative to working hard. Working smart is a great way to get things done more efficiently. In a way, it can be seen as a means to cut the fat out of the tasks we do regularly. But unless you are willing to get your hands dirty and pour your sweat into what you do, I doubt that just working smart will get you anywhere in the long run. It can offer success in the short term, but if you want to really be successful in the long run, you need to start working hard too.

Come to think of it, Bill Gates is smart right? What if he just worked for 8 hours and called it a day? I am sure in those 8 hours he could get quite a fair amount accomplished and impress a lot of people, but do you think Microsoft would be the giant that it is today? The same goes for Google and You Tube. Yes, it looks like they all have it easy now, but imagine the elbow grease they would have put in during the early days to make themselves the giants they are today.

I have no ambition to be the next Microsoft or the next Google. But I do want to make sure I can retire early and retire financially comfortably. While at the same time providing my (future) children with comfortable lives and good education. I agree that just working hard is not enough. But working only smart isn’t quite the recipe either. I hope to find a good balance of the two to take me where I want to be. And like all the other cocky youth out there, I am pretty sure, I have found the right answer :)

If you liked this article, you might also like Why You Should Work Smart, Not Hard @ Money Smart Life and Hard Work @ Neville’s Financial Blog.

Surviving Personal Productivity Down-Time

It happens to the best of us. An utter lack of interest. Unshruggable lethargy. Uncontrollable procrastination. Debilitating laziness. Uncaring apathy. With the kind of busy lives we live, it’s inevitable that once in a while our mind, body and spirit go on strike and no amount of coaxing seems to make things happen. No amount of cajoling can make you want to do the job in front of you. Unfortunately, none of the bosses (who themselves might be going through the same phase) care, since they have bosses and their bosses have bosses and so on. In a world where productivity and personal effectiveness are key, how do you survive through a phase of “down-time”?

Here are a few tips that I find helpful. Maybe some combination of the techniques will help you get through your down time. Some of you may find some of these suggestions blasphemous, but do remember – none of these are meant to be long-term solutions. They are just quick fixes to help you survive through a short patch of utter desperation while you try and figure out how to best get yourself out of the rut.

If at all possible, take vacation.
Just wanted to get that one out the way. If you have vacation time available and are not saving it up for an ear-marked purposed, this may be a good time to use some of it. A total lack of motivation maybe your tired brain’s way of telling you that it’s time to relax and take some time off. Workers in USA are supposed to take significantly less amount of time off compared to our peers in Europe. Are you one of the people responsible for these statistics? Vacation does not necessarily have to mean a week off on an exotic island (though, if you can afford it, I would say, go for it!). But it does mean days without computers, client calls or PDA. Spend the time with your kids – take them for a picnic, or hang out by the pool. Bake a cake together. Run with your pets in the park. Just do something that will help you forget your work for a day or two, heck maybe even a week or 10 days :) More often than not, just this one trick is enough to recharge your spirit.

But if that’s not an option, here are some other things you can do at the work place to survive the dry spell.

Break things up into small tasks.
If you have to show up at work, then the best thing to do conquer and rule. Do not think about your lifelong career goals, or even tomorrow– just focus on getting through today. Break up what needs to be done this day into several small tasks. And attack them one at a time. You could prioritize your tasks in several different ways depending on how far gone you are. The best technique would be to put them in the order of importance and start out with the most critical one. But if you totally lack the drive, then pick the task that you least detest and start working on it. The idea is to do *something*. And when the task is done, do the next one on the list and so on until the day is done.

Pick one thing about your job that you really like and focus on it.
More often than not, we expect too much from our jobs. We want lax hours, and at the same time we want the work to be challenging and stimulating. We want great pay and at the same time a good work-life balance. We want great benefits, short commute, good location… The list just goes on. I agree that all these things are great to have in a job, but more likely, there will be something missing for sure. This can lead to disillusionment and a possible lack of interest and motivation. If this is the case, then prioritize what is really important to you, and focus on just those aspects.

Remember your boss (or colleague) is just another guy in the rut.
A lot of times, the work environment makes it very difficult to stay interested on the job. Maybe it’s a demanding boss. Or an annoying colleague. How you let it effect you is up to you. I know it’s easier said than done, but if you let the people around you effect how you feel, then really, you have only yourself to blame. When you start to feel distraught by the way your boss or colleague treats you, just remember, they are people just like you. They have no authority or power over how you feel. Everything is in your head. Usually remembering that they are just the same as me – no better, no worse – helps me not get effected by what anybody else says or does.

Put a carrot on a stick and hold it before your eyes.
To make the days go by a little easy, allocate a break and stick to it. For instance, for the past few months, me and a couple of other colleagues get together around 3:00 for a short coffee break. We still drink the free coffee available at work – but instead of having it in the break room, we walk down to the break room of a different floor, settle into comfortable chairs and gossip to our hearts content :) Somehow knowing that the monotony of the afternoon will be broken by a juicy gossip, ahem, coffee break helps get through the monotony of the afternoons when nothing earth shattering happens (which is most days!).

Put yourself on “automaton” mode.
If things are really nasty and you just don’t think you can get through the day, then put your self on auto-pilot. Take on only those tasks that you know your can do with minimal effort. Keep at it without thinking too much – thought is your worst enemy. Just be a robot for the time being. Remember though, that has some really negative side effects and should not be done on an every day basis. (Well, you could, but then you have no right to complain after that that you are in a rut!). This is generally a good technique for surviving through very short periods of down-time while making sure that your personal productivity curve at least stays flat instead of showing a huge dip

Snap yourself out of it by taking on a challenge.
Obviously, it’s either this or the previous, but not both. This one is very helpful when you are ready to pull yourself back out of the dumps and get back into action. Take on something challenging that will keep pushing you into finally getting things done. It may seem hard at first, but once you are in the groove you know you can keep going. Before you take on the challenge though, make sure that know your limits and how much you can push yourself!

Think of all the worse circumstances you could be in.
No don’t laugh! When all else fails, this will work! When you think of all the people who are in a worse situation than you are, you will start to feel “not-so-bad” about your own situation. It’s just human nature to blow things out of proportion when it comes to our own miseries. But when we look at some of the “real” problems that people have out there, it will help put things in perspective and you might start to feel OK about yourself. Here, here and here are some ways to kill time and realize that your boss or your work isn't the worst one after all :)

Ultimately, it is up to you to pull yourself out of the “down-time” and get back in the groove. How good you do your job determines how much money you will make, which in turn determines your financial well being (that and whole bunch of other things, but you get the point). Since how well you do your job depends a lot on how motivated you are, it is in your best interest that you stabilize your situation using one of the tricks above (or other tricks – whatever works best). Then you can start to focus on improving your long-term outlook. I.e., looking at the chart below, for now focus on making your curve look at least OK(ish) and eventually get back to being "good".



Here are a few related articles from elsewhere on the blogosphere that you might find interesting:

• Top 20 Motivation Hacks


• Triple Your Personal Productivity


• How to survive (and thrive!) in a job you hate


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